System and method for prevention of deep-vein thrombosis (dvt) edema or muscle atrophy

Abstract

In a first aspect, a system for prevention of muscle atrophy is presented. The system includes an attachable device. The attachable device includes at least one electrode configured to stimulate a portion of a leg of a subject. The attachable device includes an air bladder configured to apply pressure to the portion of a leg of a subject. The attachable device includes an air inlet port fluidically connected to the air bladder. The controller includes a compression pump. The stimulation unit includes at least one air tube connecting an outlet of the compression pump to the air inlet port of the attachable device. The controller includes a stimulation unit. The stimulation unit is configured to stimulate at least a portion of a leg of a subject.

1 . A system for prevention or amelioration of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) edema or muscle atrophy, or for stimulating a muscle or stimulating the movement of a body part of a subject, the system comprising:
 an attachable device, the attachable device comprising:   at least one electrode configured to stimulate a portion of the body part of the subject;   an air bladder configured to apply pressure to the portion of the body part of a subject; and   an air inlet port fluidically connected to the air bladder; and   
       a controller in electrical communication with the attachable device, the controller comprising:
 a stimulation unit, wherein the stimulation unit is configured to stimulate and/or move at least a portion of the body part of the subject through activation of at least one of the at least one electrode; 
 a compression pump; and 
 at least one air tube connecting an outlet of the compression pump to the air inlet port of the attachable device, wherein the controller is configured to active the at least one electrode, compression pump, or both. 
 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation unit is further configured to activate the at least one electrode based on data generated from a sensor of the attachable device in a closed loop algorithm. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachable device further comprises a resistance device, wherein the resistance device is configured to apply a force to the portion of the body part of the subject. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the resistance device is one of a pneumatic, hydraulic, or spring piston. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the resistance device includes a sensor configured to determine a position of a foot of the subject. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the resistance device is a heel or ankle flexion device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the exercise unit includes a track with a footplate, the footplate operable to slide along the track. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the track includes a linear sensor configured to determine a position of the footplate on the track. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the stimulation unit is further configured to provide resistance through the resistance device based on data generated from the linear sensor in a closed feedback loop. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the stimulation unit in one of a plurality of operation modes. 
     
     
         11 . A method of preventing or ameliorating deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) edema or muscle atrophy of a subject or a method of stimulating a muscle or movement of a body part of the subject, the method comprising:
 placing an attachable device on a body part of the subject, the attachable device comprising:   at least one electrode configured to stimulate a portion of the body part of the subject;   an air bladder configured to apply pressure to the portion of the body part of the subject; and   an air inlet port fluidically connected to the air bladder;   
       selecting an operation mode of a controller in communication with the attachable device; and 
       applying stimulation to the body part of the subject through the at least one electrode, applying pressure to the body part through the air bladder, or both, based on the operation mode. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying stimulation further comprises inflating or deflating the air bladder of the attachable device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising applying force to the body part of the user through a resistance device in communication with the controller based on the operation mode. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the resistance device includes one of an ankle flexion device or a heel slide device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein selecting the operation mode comprises selecting an exercise mode, wherein upon selection of the exercise mode the stimulation unit activates the at least one electrode and applies a force to the body part of the subject through the resistance device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 detecting a movement of the body part of the subject through a sensor of the resistance device in communication with the controller; and   activating, by the stimulation unit, the at least one electrode in a closed feedback loop based on the detected movement.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing variable resistance to the body part of the subject through the resistance device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising calculating a force of a movement of the body part of the subject through a sensor of the resistance device in communication with the controller. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising adjusting a resistance level of the resistance device based on the force. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the portion of the body part of the subject is a leg.